Find Your Judicial District
If you are in a community that is experiencing a mass violence incident, toggle over your district and learn who to reach out to for Victims Compensation support and resources.
FAQs
What is a victims advocate?
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A Victim Advocate is someone whose job is to support and guide you after a crime or tragedy. They can explain how the criminal justice system works, help you understand your rights, keep you updated on your case, and even go with you to court so you don't have to face it alone. They're not lawyers — they're there for support and information.
What is a therapist?
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A therapist is a licensed mental health professional trained to help people process trauma, grief, and difficult emotions. If you're struggling after a tragedy, a therapist gives you a safe space to talk, heal, and develop healthy coping tools — separate from anything related to your legal case.
What is a mass violence incident?
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A mass violence incident is an event where multiple people are hurt or killed by an intentional act of violence — for example, a mass shooting. These events affect not just direct victims, but families, witnesses, first responders, and entire communities.
What is victims compensation?
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CHARITY FRAUD (COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE)
The Colorado Healing Fund was established with the support of the Colorado Attorney General’s Office to provide a safe way for people to give after a mass tragedy in Colorado. Cases involving Charity Fraud are investigated and prosecuted by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office which has helpful information on how to safeguard your donations, and how to report possible fraud.
Victims Compensation (sometimes called Crime Victim Compensation, or CVC) is financial assistance available to victims for losses caused by a crime, such as medical bills, mental health counseling, funeral costs, and lost wages. In Colorado, you apply through the program in the judicial district where the crime happened. It's meant to ease the financial burden of a crime — it doesn't cover pain and suffering itself, but real, out-of-pocket costs.
A DA (District Attorney) Victim Advocate works inside the District Attorney's Office and focuses on your criminal case specifically — explaining the court process, giving you case updates, and going with you to court hearings for support.
A County Victim Advocate (often through the Sheriff's Office or local police) usually steps in earlier — right after the crime — offering immediate crisis support and safety planning, before a case ever reaches the DA's office.